If you own a home near Rhode Island’s coast, and often even if you don’t, your policy probably has a hurricane or named-storm deductible. It’s one of the most misunderstood parts of a property claim.
A percentage of coverage, not of the loss
A hurricane deductible is typically 1% to 5% of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A). On a home insured for $450,000, a 2% deductible is $9,000. If wind damage totals $14,000, the policy pays $5,000. If the damage totals $8,500, the policy pays nothing.
What triggers it
The policy spells out the trigger. Common versions refer to a hurricane or named storm declared by the National Hurricane Center or National Weather Service, sometimes with a window of hours before and after the storm. A strong nor’easter normally isn’t a named storm, so the standard deductible usually applies.
Why the full scope matters even more
With a fixed deductible of several thousand dollars, every missed slope, siding wall or interior ceiling comes straight out of what you’re paid. That’s why a careful estimate review matters most when a hurricane deductible is in play.
Try your numbers
Our hurricane deductible calculator converts the percentage into dollars and compares it with your standard deductible. All figures in this article are illustrative.